Pastor: 'God Had Different Plan' For Iconic Denver Church
DENVER (CBS4) - One of Denver's oldest buildings seems to be in hiding.
The iconic Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception has been wrapped in scaffolding for months. What is typically an eye-catching landmark has become a large eyesore in downtown Denver.
"I call it a monolith," Father Ron Cattany, Pastor and Rector at the cathedral, told CBS4's Kelly Werthmann in jest.
Cattany explained the construction came as a bit of a surprise to the historic church. It all began in the summer when a limestone grape cluster fell off the outside of the cathedral between masses on Sunday morning.
"Thankfully no one was out there when it happened because it could've killed somebody," Cattany said.
It was estimated to be about a $100,000 job that would be completed in the month of June.
"God had a different plan," Cattany said.
While making what were initially basic repairs to the 103-year-old church, contractors discovered the Cathedral is riddled with loose mortar, large cracks, even lightning damage to both towers.
"Some of the pieces are such that you can lift them out like a piece of pie, they're so loose," Cattany said. "If they can't be glued or sealed back in, then digital images will be taken of those pieces and sent to either Ontario, Canada or Sedalia, Colorado where new pieces will be made. That's a 30-day turnaround."
It has also turned the estimated total project cost to $3.5 million, money the cathedral must raise through donations.
"The archdiocese will help us raise money," Cattany said. "But they've asked us to do everything we can because they're dealing with shortfalls in other areas as well."
Cattany hopes the project will wrap up in May, adding that it's up to science.
"God will keep us safe and the engineers will make the building safe," he said.
He's keeping the faith that the mother church will shine brightly once again.
"The cathedral is going to be here long after I'm not," he said.
Additional Resources
For information on how to donate to the Cathedral construction project, visit denvercathedral.org.
Kelly Werthmann joined the CBS4 team in 2012 as the morning reporter, covering national stories like the Aurora Theater Shooting and devastating Colorado wildfires. She now anchors CBS4 Weekend Morning News and reports during the week. Connect with her on Facebook or Twitter @KellyCBS4.
